Special Features - Oak Bay Women In Business

WOMENs g OLf rEY - AT ViCTOriA gOLf CLub - SEE PAGE 2

LOCAL WOME N MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Women

OAK BAY

IN BUSINESS “Let’s talk about Real Estate in Oak Bay.” SHEILA AUJLA REAL ESTATE

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B2 • WOMEN iN busiNEss

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

LOCAL WOMEN Making a difference • B3

OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Women at the heart of Oak Bay Business Improvement Association

By Jennifer Blyth

WW

hile women continue to make inroads into the worlds of high finance and big business, for many women, the opportunity to own their own small business is ultimately appealing.

Some appreciate the challenge of building something from the ground up, while others want the diversity business ownership brings. Some appreciate the flexible work hours, allowing more time to share with family or to explore other passions.

Whatever their reasons, it appears women in Oak Bay definitely boast an entrepreneurial spirit.

According to the province’s Small Business Profile (2013) from the B.C. government at B.C. Stats, almost 36 per cent of small businesses in B.C. are owned and operated by women, the second-highest proportion in Canada.

Self-employed communications professional Heather Leary, who currently works with the 110-member Oak Bay Business Improvement Association, estimates the number of women running businesses within the Oak Bay BIA at about 65 per cent (including both owners/co-owners and managers). Heather first hung out her shingle in the municipality back in 2001. “Oak Bay has always been very receptive to women in business, even back then,” she reflects.

For Elizabeth Smith, owner of Athlone Travel and president of the Oak Bay BIA, “I think I wanted to have my own business since I was a child,” she says.

Liz started working in retail at age 15, moving into the travel industry when her children were young as it then offered the opportunity to work her own hours – hours that then grew as her children grew.

An avid traveller herself, opening Athlone Travel has proven an enjoyable choice. “For the most part it’s a very happy business,” she explains. With preparations that can begin as much as two years out for clients, “you go on this journey with them.”

Like many women who choose to own their own

Did you know?

Jennifer Blyth photo

Heather Leary and Elizabeth Smith appreciate the diversity and flexibility of running their own business. businesses, the opportunity to work around family when market conditions change, we have the ability schedules was a main attraction. “Having a couple of to make changes very quickly,” Smith notes. After really amazing partners is key to that because it gives the market slowdown in 2008, for example, Athlone you flexibility and freedom,” said Smith focused on training, “and that was a good use of That’s not to say women business owners work time for us.” fewer hours; far from it. But speak to many small busiFor Leary, the diversity of being her own boss ness owners and they’ll tell you the business allows appealed to her. “For me, it just meant variety with them to drive for their son’s school field trips and every day (while) the flexibility allowed me to do cheer on their daughter’s hockey team, then catch up much more in my life.” on emails and paperwork later in the evening.

That flexibility extends to business practices as well.

“For us in my industry, we’re independent so

n Small business – defined as employing 0 to 50 employees – accounts for 98 per cent of all businesses in B.C. The vast majority – 82 per cent – have four or fewer employees. n 55 per cent of all businesses in the province were run by selfemployed individuals with no paid help. n Approximately 385,900 small businesses were operating in B.C. in 2012, and about 82 per cent were micro-businesses with fewer than five employees. n With 83.5 small businesses per 1,000 people, B.C. ranked first in Canada in small businesses per capita in 2012; the national average was 69. n 37.7 per cent of the province’s business owners in 2012 were women, the highest rate in the country.

Self-employment among women was on the rise between 2007 and 2012, up 3.4 per cent, while the number of male entrepreneurs slipped 2.8 per cent over the same period.

“Interestingly, the increase in self-employment among women in the province was entirely attributable to boosts among those aged 45 and over.”

According to the B.C. Small Business Profile (2013)

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B4 • women in business

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

Gender politics - making a difference W W

omen seem to be making a breakn 54% of respondents said women are through in local politics in the good in a crisis, as opposed to 46% for men.

Capital Regional District (CRD), New Abacus Data research suggests that especially during the 2014 municipal elec- two-thirds of voters will choose a female cantion cycle. Two new female faces in the City didate over a male candidate, not so much of Victoria and in Sooke (mayors Lisa Helps as tokenism, but “as enlightened self-interand Maja Tait) join other CRD est.” This appears true for the women mayors Barb Desjardins, federal Liberal Party, given that it Carol Hamilton and Alice Finall. is reported that “fully one-third” While this may not reflect a of their candidates are female. big gain in numbers for women The article goes on to sugover time at the mayor level, gest that being female and also it suggests to me a trend by being a local candidate is a recwomen towards greater involveipe for potential election sucment and leadership in local cess. Certainly these two qualigovernment. fiers are evident throughout the Women tend to participate 13 CRD municipalities where more proactively in mentoring new and returning local female and supporting other women by candidates did well in the 2014 serving as positive role models municipal election. in community leadership and, The article also quotes CathCairine Green in my experience, this is parerine McKenna, Liberal canticularly true. Had it not been for didate in Ottawa Centre, runthe encouragement and menning against NDP MP Paul torship of other women in my Dewar. McKenna says that she community (former North Saanich “is encouraged by the suggescouncil members Alice Finall, Dee tion that local candidates do matBailin and Sheila Irving) and former North ter” and is “happy to see the trend of male Saanich Mayor Linda Michaluk, it is unlikely candidates being favoured by voters may that I would have become involved in public be over.” She concludes that “this could life and local government. be related to voters being less cynical about In a recent National Post article by John women candidates.”

Ivison (published Jan. 7, 2015), voters were Whatever the reasons are, the increasing asked to choose between men and women number of women participating as candicandidates. Here are the interesting results: dates in local, provincial and federal elecn 70% of respondents said women had tions is significant, bringing new perspecvalues closer to their own, as opposed to tives, leadership styles and balance to poli30% for men. tics, to elected office and, hopefully, to how n 65% of respondents said women are we govern. capable of getting things done, as opposed Cairine Green is a former councillor with to 35% for men. the District of Oak Bay.

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LOCAL WOMEN MAkiNg A diffErENCE • B5

OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Business world bridges gender equality

By Korina Miller

GG

one are the days of Darrin Stephens, Mike Brady and Ward Cleaver – the days when the furthest a woman ever got in a business was the secretary’s desk. Women have been steadily infiltrating the business world and, although statistics continue to show us that few yet reach the top, women are undoubtedly changing the business landscape.

At the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, women account for around half of enrolment. “I don’t see any particular career accessibility issues related to gender currently or in the recent past,” says Ian Robertson, associate director of the MBA program. “This may be related to the fact that we work very closely with our students one-on-one around their career development. We coach students throughout the program, helping them clarify career goals, build professional networks and gain experience that will help them forward in their career.”

Sheryl Karras, director of Gustavson’s Business Commerce program, agrees that increased support networks are improving women’s success in business. “There are more and more strong female role models and mentors in business.

There are business clubs like Young Women in Business, which help attract women to careers in business.”

Camosun College is seeing similar trends.

“Over the past four decades, we have seen considerable growth in women entering business programs,” explains Richard Stride, dean of Camosun School of Business. “Well over 50 per cent of our BBA graduates have been women.”

Stride sees business careers as increasingly accessible to women. “We are finding that the employment rates of women with business degrees, diplomas and certificates are at least as high as those for men. Over 54 per cent of accounting and finance roles in B.C. were filled by

“As the numbers of women have grown in the business workforce...the demonstrated skills, dedication and quality of work have closed much of the gender gap.”

- Richard Stride, dean of Camosun School of Business women in 2013. Women are most strongly represented in business fields requiring excellent communications skills and service orientations, such as marketing, human resources management and public relations positions. While areas such as information systems administration continue to have a fairly significant gender gap, there has been headway as more women take on leadership roles in the IT sector.”

But there’s more to it. In 2011, Forbes published a report that discussed the value of having gender-diverse management teams. These teams had better return on equity and assets as well as higher scores on organizational effectiveness.

“Changing societal values may be having some effect on employer expectations over time,” explains Stride, “but from a pragmatic business perspective, the proof is in the quality of the work.

As the numbers of women have grown in the business workforce, it has been the demonstrated skills, dedication and quality of work that have closed much of the gender gap.”

One area where women have made an increasing dent is entrepreneurship. “One of our specialization areas in the MBA is entrepreneurship,” explains Robertson, “so there is a strong focus on this particular area.”

Women now own more than one-third of all small businesses in B.C.

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B6 • women in business

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

Longtime volunteers make Thrift Shop an integral part of the community

By Jennifer Blyth

T

Jennifer Blyth photo

Jean Elliott, left, and Betty Thacker stand in front of some of the goods available at the Thrift Shop Annex. programs and outreach initiatives.

Each week, a variety of goods are donated to other local organizations like Our Place, Compassionate Resource Warehouse, Sandy Merriman House, a women’s shelter operated by the Cool Aid Society, and Reading Tree.

Sometimes the shop helps individuals getting back on their feet – a young man who needs appropriate clothes to start a new job, for example, a young mom needing assistance, or a refugee family getting settled in their new country.

“Outreach is a really big part of what we do,” says Thacker, who’s been with the thrift shop since the late-1990s.

The women behind the

After many successful years, the shop began to outgrow its confines, and the twice-yearly garage sales for larger items weren’t enough to keep up with demand. In 2010 they were able to expand into the annex building, “and it just boomed,” Elliott says. After all, “people like bargains.”

An expanded menswear section has proven popular and “the furniture just goes like hotcakes.”

Jewelry is also a favourite, thanks in part to the tales woven by volunteer June Carver. “You get a story with every piece of jewelry,” says Thacker.

Donations are easy to come by, thanks to the

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he Oak Bay Thrift Shop may open just one day a week – and a half-day at that – and close for two full months in the summer, but at 33 years and growing strong, it is one of the municipality’s most successful businesses.

Buzzing with activity each Friday since September 1982, through the support of the community and countless volunteers, the enterprise has helped fund repairs to the church sanctuary and supported numerous other outreach efforts.

The concept originated with two members of the congregation who saw a similar endeavour while vacationing in Hawaii, recalls Thrift Shop manager Jean Elliott, who joined the shop when she retired to Oak Bay in 1984. “That will be 31 years ago in March and I’m still here,” she says with a laugh during a break from business.

You’ll find Elliott each Friday in the shop – home to a variety of men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories – along with assistant manager Lucy Holland, marking 26 years at the Thrift Shop, and longtime volunteers like Betty Thanker, who oversees the neighbouring annex building, where shoppers will find furniture, jewelry, artworks, toys, books, electronics and other treasures.

As her 90th birthday approaches, “It’s my reason to get up in the morning – it’s what keeps me going,” Elliott says.

“Some customers come every Friday – they never miss. They come and tell us they’ve had a new grandchild or their husband has gone into the nursing home, and we talk to them and listen. So fellowship and outreach is a big part of it; it’s not just selling.”

Because the thrift shop is completely staffed by volunteers and all its wares are donated, its overhead is extremely low, meaning virtually all the money raised can go towards the church,

shop’s reputation, not only with the congregation but also with the greater community. In fact, people come from all over the Capital Region, says Elliott, who will often find donations outside her condominium door. Volunteers are also available for pick-up or delivery of larger items, or when people are downsizing and have a lot to donate. “That’s always interesting and fun because you never know what you’re going to find,” Thacker says.

Sometimes they even get more than they bargained for, like the time they discovered $125 tucked into a brassiere. “We’ve all said we could write a book about this place,” Elliott laughs.

What has made the Oak Bay Thrift Shop so successful over the decades? “I think it’s because we don’t have high prices. If you start putting the prices up, people won’t come. They love the half-price sales – that’s the favourite – and the customers love us, they really do,” she says.

Tea, coffee and cookies are available until noon on selling days, and the neighbourhood dogs all know to visit Elliott for a biscuit.

For Thacker, “It’s the people who come time after time. We have people who tell us their stories and we have people we share stories with.

It’s a lot of hard work but it’s a lot of fun,” she says, noting that rubs off on others, and many volunteers are not even church members. “They say, ‘You look like you’re having a lot of fun – can I come and help?’”

It’s also knowing the donations and purchases are doing good, she adds, pointing to the refurbished sanctuary. “I think that’s why people want to come too. People see what we’ve done with the money.”

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Tara recently opened a creative gallery space Coast Life and Style in Oak Bay: Featuring Jill’s distinct West Coast artwork, Famous Pollen Wool Sweaters made in Lund, BC. Beeswaxworks, SaltSpring Soapworks, Plunger Cove Tugboats and nautical decor made in-store.

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LOCAL WOMEN Making a difference • B7

OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 28, 2015

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B8 • women in business

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

Women in Business PROFILE

Group helping women dress for success

TT Dr. Suzanne Sutter When it comes to your vision, there’s no substitute for regular, professional eye care.

It’s a message Dr. Suzanne Sutter brings to her patients each and every day at Oak Bay Optometry.

Offering complete optometry services for ten years now, Dr. Sutter and her staff provide full vision and eye health assessments, in addition to the sale of glasses and contact lenses.

“One of the best parts about my job is being able to meet and connect with people. I love kids and also love having time to visit with my elderly patients. You can learn a lot from them!” Dr. Sutter emphasizes.

“We have a friendly clinic with a lot of character,” Dr. Sutter says. With a caring,

250-595-8500

knowledgeable team of eye care specialists, “we have a fun, relaxed atmosphere while at the same time offering top-quality eye care with the most advanced technology.”

Originally from Saskatoon, Dr. Sutter moved to Victoria after graduating from the University of Waterloo.

She and her husband are happy to be settled in Victoria and are glad to be raising their young daughter in such a wonderful city.

Dr. Sutter works four days a week with evening and weekend appointments available.

She is welcoming new patients.

For more information, call Oak Bay Optometry at 250-595-8500 or check out our website at oakbayoptometry.com.

2075 Cadboro Bay Road

he Oak Bay News has partnered with Wear2Start to help women in need dress their best for that all important job interview or their first few days on the job.

The non-profit society provides suitable clothing, shoes and accessories, as well as other essential services such as haircuts, makeup and alterations.

Clients are referred by agencies that provide job training, skills development and job re-entry services for women of all ages and backgrounds.

The Oak Bay News sees the partnership as a perfect fit.

Women who are successfully achieving their goals want to help other women do the same.

“The people of Victoria have been so generous with clothing donations that we can’t take any more at the moment,” said Val Sharp, volunteer co-ordinator. “However, we still require shoes, purses and jewelry.”

The organization relies on donations and fundraising to pay the rent and keep the organization running.

“We don’t receive any government funding, so taxdeductible monetary donations of any amount are really welcome,” said Sharp.

Donations can be made online at www.canadahelps. org or cheques made payable to ‘Wear2Start Society’

Rosie Jullion, a volunteer with Wear2Start, finds a great blouse for her client to try on. can be dropped off or mailed toWear2Start, 216 – 733 Johnson St., Victoria, B.C. V8W 3C7.

Donations and cheques may also be left at the Oak Bay News office, on the second floor of Athlone Court, 207A – 2187 Oak Bay Ave. For more

information call 250-472-9327 or visit www.wear2start.com.

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